In Hindi cinema, Rajkumar Rao is counted among those actors who have made a distinct identity with their choice of roles. From serious social issues to inspirational biopics, he has played a variety of characters. Amidst the discussion about his upcoming film 'Prahar', the performance of his previous biopic films is also attracting attention. The stories of these films have been based on real persons or events, but not all of them got the same results at the box office. At some places, despite the limited budget, the film won the trust of the audience, at others, despite good acting, the earnings were not as per expectations. Let's take a look at four of his most popular films and their commercial performance.
'Shahid' got national honor along with earnings
The film 'Shahid', released in the year 2012, is included in the notable films of Rajkumar Rao's career. In this he played the role of human rights lawyer Shahid Azmi. Despite the limited budget and fewer screens, the film received a positive response and, as per available data, made a business of around Rs 4 crore.
The film was directed by Hansal Mehta. Rajkumar's impressive performance was widely appreciated and he even received the National Film Award for Best Actor for the role. This film became an example of the fact that even a small budget story can make a mark on the basis of strong acting and theme.
Challenging role in 'Omerta', but weak earnings
In 2018's 'Omerta', Rajkummar Rao played the role of terrorist Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh. This character was quite challenging due to its subject matter and psychological complexity. The film was directed by Hansal Mehta and the actor's performance was praised.
However, the film did not receive the expected audience in theatres. As per available details, its turnover stood at around Rs 4 crore and business performance was considered weak. This goes to show that serious subjects and an artist's hard work don't always translate into big box office results.
'Aligarh' got praise, but earnings did not increase
Manoj Bajpayee and Rajkumar Rao's film 'Aligarh' was released in 2016. Its story was inspired by the life of Professor Srinivas Ramchandra Siras of Aligarh Muslim University. The film raised sensitive issues such as homosexuality, privacy and social discrimination.
Manoj Bajpayee played the lead role, while Rajkummar Rao played the role of a journalist. The film received praise for its acting and theme, but as per available data, its business stood at around Rs 2.5 crore. It was not considered successful from commercial point of view.
'Srikanth' showed the story from struggle to success
'Srikanth', released in 2024, was based on the life of industrialist Shrikant Bola. Directed by Tushar Hiranandani, the film starred Rajkummar Rao as a visually impaired entrepreneur who built his business despite difficult circumstances.
Other actors including Jyotika were also seen in the film. As per the available box office data, it earned around Rs 63 crore and its performance was described as a semi-hit. The film also got good response from the audience on OTT.
Difference between acting appreciation and earning
It is clear from these films of Rajkumar Rao that the performance of the actor in the biopic and the commercial success of the film are two different parameters. 'Shahid' brought him national recognition, while 'Omerta' and 'Aligarh' received limited earnings despite appreciation for his acting. 'Srikanth' performed relatively well commercially with an inspiring story. Now the audience remains interested in 'Prahar' and the proposed biopic of Sourav Ganguly. It will be interesting to see how Rajkummar Rao portrays his characters on screen in these projects.